Method and system for datacasting and content management

ABSTRACT

A method and system for datacasting and content management. Such a system may have, as its core, a dashboard system for managing data feeds. A dashboard system may receive data feeds from one or more associated devices, such as the hardware devices of first responders or other public safety officers, and may aggregate and prioritize them. The dashboard system may then manage, prioritize and encrypt the video, files and other data in preparation for broadcast over the television or satellite transmitter, via, for example, a television broadcasting station, and may then broadcast the video, files, or other data to a plurality of users. Alerts and notifications may be created, files attached and links to video streams distributed over this same broadcast network. The broadcasting system may be able to send multiple streams of content simultaneously, may be able to target specific users to be broadcast to, and may be able to incorporate data from public data sources, such as public security cameras.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/596,362, filed May 16, 2017, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/337,527, filed May 17, 2016,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

When first responders are called to an emergency, they typically benefitfrom having accurate and up-to-date information about the nature of theemergency and the location where it occurred. This often includesinformation like building blueprints, handling instructions for anyon-site hazardous material, or other time-sensitive data. Thisinformation can also include documents or other references that must bedelivered in picture or video form, such as the aforementionedblueprints.

Some existing solutions for providing information to first respondershas made use of television broadcast channels. For example, software isavailable that enables the distribution of encrypted video or picturefiles, or other large files, over a local broadcast television stationto targeted computer devices, using a process called “datacasting.”Providing information via broadcast television channels has certainadvantages; for instance, since broadcast television infrastructure,such as high power transmitters and low power gap filler repeaters,effectively covers almost all areas of the United States, repurposing aportion of this for public safety use allows emergency responders tomake use of existing infrastructure. Datacasting's ability to encryptcontent and target specific receivers also allows users to createsegregated paths so that multiple users cannot see what others aredoing. Those pathways can also be broken when desired to shareinformation across agencies, improving interoperability. Sincedatacasting natively uses a one-to-many broadcast content deliverymethod, it also does not suffer from bandwidth congestion, as manyunicast/one-to-one broadcasting methods (such as 3G and 4G wirelesstelecommunications networks) do.

However, existing datacast technology has suffered from certaindrawbacks. One major drawback is the fact that television broadcastingtypically utilizes communications that are one-way, not two-way, and assuch the system typically only allows for one-way and not two-waydistribution of content. Emergency personnel can receive information,but have little ability to send or share any of their own via the samechannels, which makes information sharing between on-site emergencypersonnel more difficult. There are also difficulties with aggregatingdata between multiple sources; for example, there can be difficulties inaggregating data from multiple different agencies, each of which uses adifferent source or series of sources, without taking the time toduplicate all of the data possessed by each agency for the sourcematerial or content of each agency.

SUMMARY

According to at least one exemplary embodiment, a method and a systemfor datacasting may be described. Such a method and system may be ableto send multiple streams of content simultaneously, may be able totarget specific users to be broadcast to, and may be able to incorporatedata from public data sources, such as public security cameras.

Such a datacasting method may include: receiving data, by a dashboard,from at least one of a plurality of sources via a one-to-one network;managing the data by the dashboard; authorizing, by the dashboard, atleast one of a plurality of receivers to receive the data; sending thedata, by the dashboard, to a broadcasting station; allocating, by thedashboard and/or the broadcasting station, at least one of a pluralityof electromagnetic spectrum portions to broadcast the data; broadcastingthe data, from the broadcasting station, to at least one of theplurality of receivers via a broadcasting network and/or the one-to-onenetwork; and communicating, by at least one of the plurality ofreceivers, with the dashboard via the one-to-one network and/or thebroadcasting network.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a mobile application may beimplemented on the sources to send the data to the dashboard via theone-to-one network, and a mobile application may be implemented on thereceivers to receive the data via the one-to-one network and/or thebroadcasting network. Also, in the datacasting method, the dashboardand/or the broadcasting station may manage the data for broadcasting byan application software and/or an equipment, the sources, thebroadcasting station or the receivers may communicate with the dashboardby at least one of an implemented software and an equipment, and whenbroadcasting the data, the receiver may receive the data via an ATSC 3.0broadcasting network supporting mobile reception on handheld devices inat least one of cases that the receiver is in motion, the receiver mayalso be located inside a building. In another exemplary embodiment, whenbroadcasting the data, the receivers may receive the data via alow-power transmitter, an on-channel repeater and/or the one-to-onenetwork in at least one of cases that the receiver is moving fast andthe receiver is located inside a building. Further, the source mayreceive the data as the receiver, and the source may share a specificcontent with other sources by sending the specific content to thedashboard.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the broadcasting network is anATSC 1.0 broadcasting network, an ATSC 3.0 broadcasting network and/oran DVB broadcasting network, and the one-to-one network is a mobilenetwork, Internet network, a satellite and/or a microwave, and thedashboard may resend the data to at least one of the plurality ofreceivers when the receiver sends a request to the dashboard. Also, inthe datacasting method, the dashboard may encrypts the data and/ormanages encryption of the data allowing receivers to be targeted and, ifthe receiver is targeted by the dashboard, the targeted receiverdecrypts the data after receiving the data. Further, the dashboard maybe several concurrent dashboard instantiations, online dashboards,offline dashboards and/or video management systems (VMSs), and portabledashboards, the online dashboards, the offline dashboards and the VMSsmay communicate with each other. According to an exemplary embodiment,the video contents may be broadcast in such a way that video isdynamically rerated to fit into the available bandwidth allowingmultiple video streams to coexist in the broadcast transmission. Videoquality settings may change depending on available bandwidth based onuser priority, maximum and minimum pre-configured settings and thenumber of concurrent streams. In an exemplary embodiment, availablebandwidth may be also dynamic and may be increased as desired to handlelarge pre-planned events or dynamically increased during emergencies.

Additionally, in an exemplary embodiment, the data may include a video,an audio, a text, an image, Metadata, a live data stream, a file, analert, a notification and/or an emergency alarm, and the data may beconverted into a broadcasting content by the dashboards and/or thebroadcasting station before the broadcasting. Also, in an exemplaryembodiment, the data may be incorporated into a broadcasting content bythe dashboards and/or the broadcasting station before the broadcasting.Further, the sources may include a video management system (VMS), apublic safety officer, a security camera, body camera, dashboard camera,an aircraft, an airship, an unmanned aircraft system (UAS), a stationarydevice and/or a portable device, and the receiver may include astationary antenna, a portable antenna and a portable receiver connecteddirectly to a laptop, a fixed receiver communicating with multiplereceivers over a network and/or directly on a portable integrated devicecontaining multiple radio networks.

In another exemplary embodiment, a system for datacasting may bedescribed. Such a system may include: a plurality of sources thatgenerates data; a dashboard that receives, manages and sends the data; abroadcasting station that broadcasts the data via a broadcasting networkand/or a one-to-one network; and a plurality of receivers that receivesthe data. Also, according to an exemplary embodiment, the sources, thebroadcasting station or the receivers may communicate with the dashboardby an implemented software and/or an equipment via the one-to-onenetworks and/or the broadcasting network, the dashboard may authorize atleast one of a plurality of receivers to receive the data, thedashboards and/or the broadcasting station allocates at least one of aplurality of electromagnetic spectrum portions to broadcast the data,the receiver may receive the data via an ATSC 3.0 compliant broadcastingnetwork, a low-power transmitter, an on-channel repeater and/or theone-to-one network in at least one of cases that the receiver is movingfast and/or the receiver is located inside a building, the broadcastingnetwork may be an ATSC 1.0 broadcasting network, an ATSC 3.0broadcasting network and/or an DVB broadcasting network, the one-to-onenetwork may be a mobile network, Internet network, a satellite and/or amicrowave, the dashboard may encrypt the data and/or manage theencrypted data for a targeted receiver and the targeted receiver maydecrypt the data after receiving the data, and the dashboard may resendthe data to at least one of the plurality of receivers when the receiversends a request to the dashboard.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the source may receive thedata as the receiver by the broadcasting, the dashboard may becontrolled by an authorized operator and/or the source, the dashboardmay control the source, the broadcasting station and/or the receiver,the data may be converted into a broadcasting content by the dashboardand/or the broadcasting station before being broadcast. Also, in anexemplary embodiment, the data may be incorporated into a broadcastingcontent by the dashboard and/or the broadcasting station before beingbroadcast, the dashboard may add an additional information to the databefore broadcasting of the data, and the source, after receiving thedata as the receiver, may resend the data to the dashboard after addinga feedback into the data by controlling the dashboard.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the data may be sent to thebroadcasting station from the dashboard via at least one secure networkof a fiber, a satellite, a microwave or a Virtual Private Network (VPN),and the dashboard adds an additional metadata targeting or otherinformation to the data before broadcasting of the data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments thereof,which description should be considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like elements, inwhich:

Exemplary FIG. 1 may show a process flow diagram of an exemplaryembodiment of a method for datacasting and content management;

Exemplary FIG. 2 may show a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodimentof a system for datacasting and content management;

Exemplary FIG. 3 may show an exemplary schematic diagram of an exemplaryembodiment of a system for datacasting of contents from aircrafts;

Exemplary FIG. 4 may show an exemplary coverage map of a system fordatacasting and content management;

Exemplary FIG. 5 may show an exemplary coverage map of a system fordatacasting and content management;

Exemplary FIG. 6 may show an exemplary embodiment of the video displayof a dashboard system; and

Exemplary FIG. 7 may show an exemplary embodiment of the interface of adashboard system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Aspects of the invention are disclosed in the following description andrelated drawings directed to specific embodiments of the invention.Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. Additionally, well-known elements ofexemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detailor will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of theinvention. Further, to facilitate an understanding of the descriptiondiscussion of several terms used herein follows.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe invention” does not require that all embodiments of the inventioninclude the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

Further, many embodiments are described in terms of sequences of actionsto be performed by, for example, elements of a computing device. It willbe recognized that various actions described herein can be performed byspecific circuits (e.g., application specific integrated circuits(ASICs)), by program instructions being executed by one or moreprocessors, or by a combination of both. Additionally, these sequence ofactions described herein can be considered to be embodied entirelywithin any form of computer readable storage medium having storedtherein a corresponding set of computer instructions that upon executionwould cause an associated processor to perform the functionalitydescribed herein. Thus, the various aspects of the invention may beembodied in a number of different forms, all of which have beencontemplated to be within the scope of the claimed subject matter. Inaddition, for each of the embodiments described herein, thecorresponding form of any such embodiments may be described herein as,for example, “logic configured to” perform the described action.

According to an exemplary embodiment, and referring to the Figuresgenerally, a method and system for datacasting and content managementmay be disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, such a methodmay be embodied in one system or in a network of systems, for example anetwork of broadcasting sources, as desired. Such a method may alsoinclude one-way communication, two-way communication, or a combinationof the two, as desired.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a system for datacasting andcontent management may use as its core one or more dashboards configuredto provide content management and presentation, to be operated by one ormore operators. Dashboard may be a single device or a network ofdevices, as desired. In an exemplary embodiment, the dashboard may beconfigured to receive data inputs, such as video data inputs, from aplurality of sources, for example, a plurality of first responders. Thedashboard may then be configured to, or may be configured to allow theoperator to, consolidate, manage, and/or prioritize these data inputs.For example, in one exemplary embodiment, multiple video data inputs maybe received and may then be selected for broadcast to specific remoteusers. Metadata, files, notifications and other associated content maybe added; this may include, for example, combining the video feedsreceived from multiple security cameras at a location, so that acomposite video feed encompassing multiple camera views can then beprovided. In another exemplary embodiment, other data inputs may becombined with a video data input or with each other. For example, in anexemplary embodiment, a dashboard may combine an image of a blueprint ofa site location with an audio data input of a site engineer explainingthe features of the blueprint, and this combination may be transmittedas a new composite video stream encompassing all data elements. Also, inanother exemplary embodiment, the blueprint may be transmitted as a filefor manipulation and use directly in the field. The dashboard may beconfigured to receive multiple forms of data input, for example videodata, audio data, picture or image data, text, or any other form of datainput, as desired.

The dashboard may receive data from a variety of sources as well as in avariety of forms. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, amobile app for a smartphone, tablet, or other portable device maycollect data from the portable device, such as a live video stream, ormetadata, such as location information. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the portable device, such as a smartphone or tablet having avideo camera, may be configured to provide a video stream using its ownhardware. The mobile app may then upload this data to the dashboardusing a consumer or public safety one-to-one network, such as an LTEnetwork, WiFi or the Internet. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the portable device may be connected to another system, suchas the video management system (VMS) of a private enterprise, and mayprovide data available to the other system or may make use of hardwareassociated with the other system. According to an exemplary embodiment,this app may be restricted-access, such that only, for example, firstresponders or specific first responders with appropriate credentials maybe able to download it and transmit data to the dashboard. According toanother exemplary embodiment, members of the public may be able totransmit data using the app or may otherwise be able to transmit data tothe dashboard, for example to supplement the data-collecting of firstresponders or to supplement requests for aid in an emergency. Accordingto another exemplary embodiment, the dashboard may be able to acceptdata from sources other than the app. For example, the dashboard mayaccept video data, audio data, picture data, or other data that is sentto it directly, or which is uploaded to a specified location. This mayinclude, for example, an image file sent to a phone number associatedwith the dashboard via an MMS message, may include a video uploaded toan online hosting service, may include data found at an internethyperlink provided to the dashboard via a social media service, mayinclude audio from a public safety radio system or phone call, or mayinclude any other type of data and messaging method, as desired. Otherpotential data inputs may include, for example, files, messaging,alerts, notifications and other non-video content, or other data inputs,as desired.

Other hardware available to first responders or related personnel mayalso be integrated with or may send data to the dashboard system. Forexample, according to an exemplary embodiment, the dashboard may receivevideo from a police dashboard camera, a camera worn on the body of afirst responder, a helicopter camera, the camera of a drone/unmannedaircraft system (UAS), a video management system (VMS), or even anotherdashboard. This may improve integration and information interoperabilitybetween first responders or the officers affiliated with multiple publicsafety agencies.

For example, the use of the dashboard may make it easier for theofficers of a public safety agency that operates a helicopter tomaintain their awareness of where the helicopter is and what it isdoing, and may make it easier for the officers in the helicopter to keeptrack of what other officers on the ground are doing, in both cases byimproving communication to and from the helicopter. The portable deviceapplication may also be used to enhance or replace the camera on thehelicopter. Existing helicopter transmission uses microwave transmittersin the helicopter to transmit to the ground. However, such existingtransmitter methods are line-of-sight, are difficult to receive and havelimited range. However, if integrated with the dashboard system, thehelicopter may be able to use public or private LTE towers, or towersalready in place at broadcast television stations outfitted withhelicopter receive antennas, fiber backhaul and other TV infrastructure,as well as antenna pattern changes on the helicopter to improve therange and accessibility of this video. Even other aircraft, such asaircraft not operated by a public safety agency, such as broadcast TVnews helicopters, can receive video from the helicopter, if desired.This video can then be datacast by the dashboard system over a largegeographic region. In an exemplary embodiment, a public safety agencymay operate another aircraft or airship other than a helicopter, suchas, for example, an unmanned aircraft system, anairship/lighter-than-air aircraft, or a fixed-wing aircraft, which maylikewise be integrated with the dashboard.

In another exemplary embodiment, other hardware from public or privatesources may be configured to be integrated with or to send data to thedashboard system. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, thedashboard system may receive data from security cameras, such assecurity cameras in public buildings, banks, convenience stores, and thelike. According to one exemplary embodiment, this may be a constant livefeed; for example, in an exemplary embodiment, the security cameras of acity government office may provide a direct and uninterrupted video feedto a dashboard system. According to another exemplary embodiment, theoperator of public or private data collection hardware may have theoption to divert a data feed to a dashboard system, for example wheneverdesired or whenever certain conditions are met. For example, accordingto one exemplary embodiment, a manager or other party at a publicbuilding, bank, convenience store, or similar building may be able todeclare an emergency, trigger a silent or audible alarm, or perform someother action, which may cause the live video of that building, and/orany other relevant data collected from any other data sources, to bediverted to law enforcement by way of the dashboard system. According toan exemplary embodiment, certain first responders, including for exampleSWAT units, may have mobile versions of the dashboard or mobile unitsthat may be configured to make ad hoc connections to live video feeds orother on-site data sources, or relevant video or other data may bepushed to them over the broadcast television signal using datacastingallowing them to be updated in substantial real time. In anotherembodiment, mobile units may also rebroadcast a broadcast televisionsignal, and may incorporate, for example, low-power transmitters oron-channel repeaters; this may be used to provide datacasting to firstresponders in areas of lower coverage, such as inside buildings.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the owner of a data feed mayretain full control over their content, and may be able to change whatis published by the cameras to the dashboard, manipulate data collectiondevices (for example, moving the cameras), or otherwise change the feedto the dashboard from the data collection devices under their control.In such an embodiment, some or all of the users of the dashboard may beable to see what is published to the dashboard; however, users of thedashboard that are not content owners may not be able to change ormanipulate the data collection devices that publish the feed to thedashboard. According to another exemplary embodiment, a user of thedashboard may have a limited ability to change or manipulate datacollection devices publishing a feed to the dashboard; for example,according to an exemplary embodiment, once a feed from a public orprivate data collection device (such as the security camera at aconvenience store) has been diverted to law enforcement by way of thedashboard system, the dashboard system may also be able to send commandsto the public or private data collection device.

Certain data may be sent to the dashboard system with a higher priority.According to some exemplary embodiments, higher-priority data mayinclude, for example, communications by a ranking official such as apolice chief, a mayor, a governor, or the President, or may include, forexample, emergencies that have been signaled by public or privatesources. According to an exemplary embodiment, data inputs to thedashboard may be assigned a higher priority when designated fortransmission as a datacast; for example, hardware available to firstresponders may be configured to change the priority status of theirinformation based on certain inputs or keywords, such as an instructionfrom the first responder or the press of a button. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, data inputs to the dashboard may be assigned ahigher priority when received; for example, the dashboard may assign ahigher priority to any video recordings containing sounds that itdetermines to be gunfire. According to an exemplary embodiment,higher-priority data may be displayed by the dashboard more prominently,or may be easier to retrieve, as desired.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the dashboard may also beconfigured to retrieve specific data upon request, edit or produce data,or otherwise interact with data, as desired. For example, according toone exemplary embodiment, a first responder that responds to anemergency may come across a victim or other person at the scene of theemergency who does not speak a common language with the first responder.According to an exemplary embodiment, audio or video data of such aperson speaking a foreign language, or otherwise attempting tocommunicate with the first responder such as via the use of signlanguage, may be transmitted to the dashboard by the first responder.The dashboard may then be configured to solicit a translation fromanother source, such as a human translator or machine translationservice, or may be configured to perform a translation itself.

The dashboard may be configured to broadcast data that is accessible toit to one or more parties, for example one or more first responders ator near a location or working jointly on a response from differentlocations. Broadcast data may include, for example, data that has beenrecorded, or data that has been recorded and edited. This may alsoinclude live data streams; for example, the video data recorded by andreceived from one first responder may be automatically rebroadcast tosome or all of the first responders in the area as targeted by thesender. In an exemplary embodiment, the dashboard may augment andrebroadcast a data feed; for example, according to one exemplaryembodiment, video data received by a first responder may be received bya dashboard, which may perform some action (such as facial recognition)to augment the video data, and which may then rebroadcast the video datato the first responder.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the dashboard may broadcast datato one or more first responders by using datacasting, which may be doneover, for example, a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum availableto television broadcast signals. According to an exemplary embodiment,the dashboard may make use of multiple portions of the electromagneticspectrum; for example, portions of the electromagnetic spectrum may bedynamically allocated in order to maximize the quality of the contentsent, or the speed with which it can be sent with an acceptable qualityor latency. For example, according to one exemplary embodiment, a systemmay be configured to generate and send multiple concurrent data streamssimultaneously within a limited set of channel capacity provided by atelevision station, for example 1 Mpbs, and the amount of channelcapacity allocated to any one particular stream may be dynamicallyadjusted. In an exemplary embodiment, each of a set of multipleconcurrent data streams may target one of a unique and unlimited set ofremote users, and users may be targeted to receive multiple concurrentstreams if desired. According to an exemplary embodiment, dynamicallocation of data streams may incorporate statistical multiplexing,which may allow each stream to share allocated bandwidth dynamically,such that each receives the appropriate amount of bandwidth for thevideo complexity at that moment, and such that the bandwidth allocatedto each stream may be automatically adjusted as the video complexity ofeach stream in the multiple concurrent data streams that is competingfor bandwidth changes in real time. Adjustments may be made based on,for example, the type of content and other requirements of the system.According to an exemplary embodiment, terrestrial broadcasting orsatellite broadcasting, or a combination of the two, may be used.

According to an exemplary embodiment, any of a variety of one-to-manybroadcasting formats, including ATSC 1.0, ATSC 3.0, DVB, or anothermodulation format, may be used by the dashboard system to broadcastdata. According to another exemplary embodiment, video may be re-encodedand normalized using any video encoding format including HEVC, H.264,H.265, or any other format, to compress the video so as to reducebandwidth requirements and improve spectral efficiency. Also, in anexemplary embodiment, statistical multiplexing, or some method ofsharing a fixed bandwidth allocation among multiple sources, rather thanallocating fixed bandwidth to each source may be used to improve videoquality by dynamically adjusting the bandwidth allocated to each videosource. According to an exemplary embodiment, the dashboard system mayalso have access to, and may be able to transmit using, a one-to-onecommunication method, for example if data is intended to be transmittedto a smaller number of recipients. In an exemplary embodiment, thedashboard system may use an algorithm to select an optimal distributionpath from a plurality of potential distribution paths whenever data isto be broadcast.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the dashboard system may beintegrated with other dashboard systems. For example, according to oneexemplary embodiment, the dashboard system may be part of a much largerdatacasting network connected by, for example, satellite, microwave orfiber; such a larger datacasting network may be, for example, a regionalor nationwide datacasting network aimed at protecting public safety. Anexemplary dashboard system belonging to one agency, or a “neutral”dashboard system belonging to no agency or no one specific agency, mayintegrate data belonging to other agencies or provided by otherdashboard systems, which may allow networks connected to the dashboardsystems to be bridged and content to be aggregated, viewed, and managedat multiple locations. One exemplary embodiment of such a dashboardsystem may be a VMS of VMSs; that is, a consolidated view of multiplevideo management systems aggregating video and data from multiplesystems for the purpose of conserving screen real estate, or providing asummary view of the most relevant information from each source asdetermined by the individual sending entities pushing data to thedashboard. According to an exemplary embodiment, a communication fromone dashboard system to another dashboard system may overcome securitymeasures, such as network firewalls, that would otherwise prevent thenetworks from being connected to one another in other ways. According tosome exemplary embodiments, other dashboard systems and broadcastingstations may use identical portions of the electromagnetic spectrum,similar portions of the electromagnetic spectrum, or different portionsof the electromagnetic spectrum when communicating with other dashboardsystems and broadcasting stations, as desired.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the functionality of the dashboardthat is available to any one particular user of the dashboard system maybe controlled based on the identity of the user, for example based onthe user's login credentials, or based on the user's identified rank intheir agency. For example, according to an exemplary embodiment, a userhaving a first level of login credentials, or a general level of access,may merely be able to view the aggregated content from a dashboardsystem. According to another exemplary embodiment, a user having asecond level of login credentials may be able to push content in thedashboard system to other recipients. This may include, for example,recipients in the same agency as the user, recipients not in the sameagency as the user, private or foreign recipients, or any otherrecipients, as desired and authorized.

While many of the exemplary embodiments discussed above make referenceto first responders, public safety or law enforcement, the capabilitiesof the dashboard system may also be used for commercial purposes. Forexample, according to an exemplary embodiment, the security system of acorporation or plurality of corporations, or the security systems ofhomes, offices, schools or other buildings or fixtures, may beintegrated with a dashboard system, for example a dashboard systembelonging to a corporate security office or private security firm.Alternatively, the principles behind a dashboard system may be used forcontent broadcasting where distribution to specifically targetedreceivers is desired. For example, an electronic video distributionservice may use a dashboard system to distribute popular videos tocached set-top receivers or portable devices such as smartphones ortablets, which may be used to, for example, enable users to operate aproprietary TV channel, or may otherwise be used to distribute video orother large-file content to consumers or other specifically targetedusers.

Turning now to exemplary FIG. 1, FIG. 1 may show a process flow diagramfor an exemplary embodiment of a method for datacasting and contentmanagement. In a first step, data 101, including video or other content,may be generated from one or more sources 102 in the field; for example,it may be produced by a first responder recording a video with a mobiledevice. This data 101 may be sent to a dashboard system 103. Data 101may be sent using, for example, a mobile app installed or connected tothe mobile device of the first responder, which may make use of aone-to-one connection 104, such as a 4G LTE connection, to send the data101 to the dashboard system 103.

In a second step, the dashboard system 103 may aggregate the data 101 ithas received from one or more sources 102, such as one or more firstresponders. The dashboard system 103 may then take steps to sort thisdata according to its priority, allowing higher-priority data to bebroadcast sooner or more frequently, or to be allocated additionalbandwidth, as desired. The dashboard system 103 may then submit contentto a broadcast station 105 to be transmitted. Content may be submittedin encrypted form, if desired. A broadcast station 105 may be, forexample, a TV broadcast station. Communications 106 to the broadcaststation may be by any available communication method; for example,according to an exemplary embodiment, fiber, satellite, microwave or aVirtual Private Network (VPN) communication may be used.

In a third step, the dashboard system 103 may specifically communicatewith system-specific software and equipment located at the broadcaststation 105. This software and equipment may be used to, for example,incorporate some or all of the transmitted data 101 into a broadcasttransmission 107, which may then be broadcast by the broadcast station105 via broadcast transmitters 110.

In a fourth step, one or more receivers 108 (including 102) may receiveand decode the broadcast transmission 107. Optionally, according to anexemplary embodiment wherein the broadcast transmission 107 is encryptedby the dashboard system 103, authorized receivers 108 (including 102)may be configured to run decryption software in order to decrypt thebroadcast transmission 107. In an exemplary embodiment, decryption mayonly be permitted for receivers 108 (including 102) that have beentargeted by the sender; this may be accomplished by, for example,sharing a decryption key between the sender and the targeted receivers.According to such an embodiment, content may remain encrypted for usersnot specifically targeted, denying them access unless or until they aretargeted for reception. According to an exemplary embodiment, thepermissions of any individual receiver to decrypt the data can beenabled and disabled by the sender dynamically as desired. Also, in anexemplary embodiment, such a sender may be an operator of the dashboardsystem 103 or users 102 who have sent the data 101 to the dashboardsystem 103. Data may be decoded in the form of, for example, DTV(digital television) video data, voice or other audio data, or otherdata, as desired.

In a fifth step, one or more users 102 (may include 108) operating areceiver, such as one or more first responders, may send anacknowledgement or other communication to the dashboard system 103indicating that they have successfully received the broadcast materials,or indicating that they have unsuccessfully received the broadcastmaterials. Acknowledgements or other communications may be sent by, forexample, over a one-to-one communication method 109, or anothercommunication method, as desired. Broadcast materials that wereunsuccessfully received may be rebroadcast or retransmitted usinganother form of communication, as desired. In an exemplary embodiment,retransmission of broadcast materials may be accomplished by, forexample, carouselling files multiple times so that missing data may beretrieved on a subsequent pass, or re-transmitting the missinginformation either as a datacast or over a separate unicast network likeLTE, the Internet, or another such network, as desired.

Turning now to exemplary FIG. 2, FIG. 2 may show a schematic diagram foran exemplary embodiment of a system for datacasting and contentmanagement. As described above, video or other content which may begenerated one or more sources 102 in the field may be sent to adashboard system 103. According to an exemplary embodiment, such asource 102 may be a public safety or a private surveillance videomanagement system (VMS) 203. Also, in an exemplary embodiment, thesource 102 may include air crafts or any flying objects 201 such as ahelicopter, a drone/unmanned aircraft system (UAS), or etc. According toan exemplary embodiment, a system or device specific software may beinstalled in the public safety or a private surveillance devices ortheir VMS 203, the aircrafts 201. Also, the software may be installed inprivate mobile devices 202 as a form of a mobile application, and thesystem or device specific software may enable to send the video or othercontent from the sources to the dashboard system 103 or may enable tostream live video to the dashboard system 103, via a mobile network 204such as LTE network, or etc.

Still referring to exemplary FIG. 2, according to an exemplaryembodiment, the dashboard system 103 may include an encoder 205, a cloudsystem for processing 206 and a contents management dashboard 207. In anexemplary embodiment, the encoder 205 may receive the data 101,including video or other content, from the sources 102 (201, 202 and203) via the mobile networks 204. Such an encoder 205 may be a softwareimplemented on a computer or an equipment including an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC) which may encode not only the video,but also other content to be a format which is eligible for beingprocessed in the dashboard system 103. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the cloud system 206 may store the data which is encoded inthe video encoder 205. According to an exemplary embodiment, the encodeddata may be stored in local storages in the dashboard system 103 as wellas the cloud system 206.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the contents management dashboard207 may include a software or an equipment which may perform a videoprocessing or other data processing, sorting data for priority,targeting receivers, encrypting of the data for the targeted receivers,generating of files and alerts for distributions, converting the data tobroadcasting contents, bandwidth allocations, or etc. In an exemplaryembodiment, the encoded data may be stored in the cloud system 206 orlocal storages and processed in the contents management dashboard 207.According to another exemplary embodiment, the cloud system 206 may alsoinclude a software or an equipment which may perform video processing orother data processing, sorting data for priority, targeting receivers,encrypting of the data for the targeted receivers, or etc. withinstructions of users via on-line networks.

Referring still to FIG. 2, according to an exemplary embodiment, thedata which is processed in the dashboard system 103 may be sent toNetwork Distribution Backbone, for example, the broadcasting station orsatellite station 209, via fiber or other means 208. In anotherexemplary embodiment, a system specific software or an equipment may beimplemented in the broadcasting station, and the converting of the datainto broadcasting contents, incorporating the contents into broadcastingtransmissions, bandwidth allocations, or etc. may be performed in thebroadcasting station 209 instead of the dashboard system 103 (205, 206and 207).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the broadcasting station 209 maysend to the targeted receivers the broadcasting contents via abroadcasting network (ATSC 1.0 and/or ATSC 3.0). Such a targetedreceiver may include a building antenna connected to a Linux receiver,stationary car antenna, laptop receiver, mobile smart phone, tablet, oretc. In an exemplary embodiment, the sources which have sent the data tothe dashboard system 103 may also be the targeted receiver. Eachreceiver may include a system or device specific software or anequipment which may enable to receive, decode, or decrypt the broadcastcontents. According to an exemplary embodiment, the broadcasting station209 may also send the broadcasting contents via satellite transmitter orLTE network together with the ATSC 1.0 broadcasting network 210 to reachthe target receiver for a case that the target receiver is moving fastor located deep inside a building. Also, in an exemplary embodiment, thebroadcasting station 209 may send the broadcasting contents via abroadcasting network 211 of ATSC 3.0 standard in which mobile reception,reception robustness and in-building penetration, interoperability oretc. are enhanced.

Turning now to exemplary FIG. 3, FIG. 3 may show a schematic diagram foran exemplary embodiment of a system for datacasting of contents fromaircrafts. As described above, existing helicopter transmission usesmicrowave transmitters in the helicopter to transmit to the ground, butsuch a transmitter method is line-of-sight and is difficult to receiveand have limited range. According to an exemplary embodiment, beingintegrated with the dashboard system, an aircraft and/or an unmannedaircraft system (UAS) may be able to use public or private LTE towers,or towers already in place at broadcast television stations. In anexemplary embodiment, the contents from the aircraft can then bedatacast by the dashboard system over a large geographic region.Specifically, referring to FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment,the helicopter 301 may transmit data to a receiving tower 302 which maybe the LTE tower or the tower of the broadcast TV stations. Also, in anexemplary embodiment, the helicopter 301 may transmit the data to aspecific video management system (VMS) via a helicopter downlink 303. Asdescribed above, the data which is to be datacast may also be thecontents received from other sources such as stationary car antenna 304or mobile smart phone 305 via a cell tower 306 as well as other contentsof security cameras 307 which is gathered and sent from VMS of a publicsafety operation center.

Referring still to FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment, via aninternet network, all data may be sent to a cloud system 308 which isspecified to process and manage the data for datacasting. In anexemplary embodiment, the cloud system 308 may include a specificsoftware or an equipment such as ASIC, a switch, and/or servers, and mayprocess alerts and file transfers as well as assign receiver IDs on thereceivers who install a specific application in their devices to receivethe data. Also, the cloud system 308 may have a specific server systemwith an embeded software and/or ASIC which can perform encryption of thedata, targeting receiver, system managements, or etc. According to anexemplary embodiment, such a cloud system 308 may be controlled by aplurality of dashboards. In an exemplary embodiment, the dashboard maybe operated by public agents such as a police, a fire station, orauthorized private person. Also, in an exemplary embodiment, the cloudsystem 308 may be accessed by a PC 309 in the public safety operationcenter via an Internet web page and the public safety operation centermay generate alerts or attach files to the data through the web page.

Referring still to FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment, theprocessed and managed data may then be sent to TV station from the cloudsystem 308 to be broadcast as datacasting contents. In an exemplaryembodiment, TV station may receive and encode the datacasting contentsto be incorporated into TV contents as broadcasting contents. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the encoding may also be performed by thecloud system 308 before being sent to the TV station. The communicationsamong the cloud system 308, dashboards, VMS, TV station and/or sourceswhich transfer the data may be Virtual Private Network (VPN) or SecureSockets Layer (SSL) with a fire wall considering a security matter.

Referring still to FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment, viabroadcasting towers, the TV station may broadcast the data to thereceivers including aircrafts such as helicopters. In an exemplaryembodiment, the helicopter which sent the data to the cloud system mayreceive the broadcast data if the helicopter has a receiver device inwhich a specific application software or an equipment is implemented toreceive the broadcasting from the TV station. Also, in another exemplaryembodiment, the receiver device may be unified, for example, as a cellphone in which the mobile application is installed to receive thedatacasting via either the broadcasting network or the mobile network.Under such a system and its application, public, private agents, orusers may send contents to be broadcast, and may share each other'scontents or feedbacks even though the user is on board the aircraft.

Turning now to exemplary FIG. 4, an example coverage map of a system fordatacasting and content management may be displayed. In this example,the map is of a US state, and specifically the state of Florida. Such acoverage map may indicate, for example, the coverage area over whichdata, such as data from a helicopter or other aircraft, may be receivedor transmitted. The circles displayed on the map may indicate theapproximate ranges at which broadcast transmissions 107 may be receivedfrom particular broadcast transmitters 110, and may also indicate, atthe center of each circle and at its perimeter, the broadcast station105 that makes use of the broadcast transmitter 110 in question. Forexample, the circle on the far left of the map may be labeled as “WSRE,”which may indicate that the circle indicates the approximatetransmission radius of the WSRE public broadcasting station located inPensacola, Fla. Other circles on the map may be similarly labeled.

Turning now to exemplary FIG. 5, an example coverage map of a system fordatacasting and content management may be displayed. In this example,the map is of the continental United States. Data transmission may beprovided by one of a variety of methods, including, for example,satellite, broadcast, microwave, fiber, or another method, as desired.In an exemplary embodiment, a satellite may provide a distributionbackbone to broadcast stations across the U.S. which can then distributecontent to receivers in their markets.

Turning now to exemplary FIG. 6, an exemplary embodiment of the videodisplay portion 600 of a dashboard system 103 configured to combine data101 from various sources 102 may be provided. For example, according toan exemplary embodiment, a dashboard system video display 600 may beconfigured to combine and display data from a proprietary videomanagement system 602, such as the video management system belonging toa security management company, including a security management companyother than that which built the dashboard system 103; data from a publicvideo management system 604, such as a video management systemconfigured to display the security feeds at a particular location; anddata from a mobile device 606, such as the mobile device of a firstresponder. In an exemplary embodiment, a mobile device of a firstresponder may be configured to provide data 606 to the dashboard systemvideo display 600 using a dedicated mobile app.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the display of a dashboard system600 may be configurable by a user. For example, according to anexemplary embodiment, a user may input configuration requests by the useof a plurality of control buttons 608, which may be provided at, forexample, the bottom portion of the display of the dashboard system 600.According to an exemplary embodiment, control buttons 608 may be pairedwith each video feed or collection of video feeds 602, 604, 606 that isshown on the display of the dashboard system 600. Exemplary controlbuttons 608 may allow a user to input, for example, an instruction tostop a particular video feed, an instruction to refresh a particularvideo feed, an instruction to (on a video management system) selectother video feeds to be displayed on the dashboard system video display600, an instruction to view information about the video feed, aninstruction to capture a portion of the video feed (such as a recordingor still image), an instruction to adjust, enable, or disable the volumeof the video feed, or perform another action, as desired.

Turning now to exemplary FIG. 7, an exemplary embodiment of an interfaceof a dashboard system 700, including a video display portion 600, may bedisplayed. According to an exemplary embodiment, a dashboard system 700may, in addition to displaying one or more videos on a video displayportion 600, display one or more alerts 704, such as active or recentlyresolved alerts, in an alert display portion 702. Alerts 704 may be, forexample, text, audio, or video alerts 704, or another kind of alert 704,as desired, and may be provided to one or more recipients 706. Alertdisplay portion 702 of the dashboard system 700 may allow a user tocontrol the recipients 706 that a specific alert 704 is sent to, mayallow a user to provide one or more attachments 708 to be made availableto the one or more recipients 706, may show an initial time in which thealert 704 was received 710, may show a time in which the alertnotification 704 is set to expire 714, may show an alert 704 number oridentifier 716, and may show one or more other user controls 712 thatmay be available to a user for a particular alert 704. In an exemplaryembodiment, the one or more user controls 712 may include a control toedit the alert 704, such as the title or text content of the alert 704or any other kind of content of the alert 704, as desired.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the dashboard system 700 may alsoinclude a control panel 718, which may allow a user to make otheradditions or alterations to the content of the dashboard system 700. Forexample, according to an exemplary embodiment, the control panel 718 mayenable a user to add a new alert 704 to the alert display portion 702;for example, in one exemplary embodiment, when the user selects a buttonlabeled “New Alert” or another similar control in the control pane, theuser may be provided with a dialog box through which they can create anew alert 704. The user may then be able to broadcast the alert 704 toone or more recipients 706 that have been specified by the user, forexample through the “New Alert” dialog or through an interfaceassociated with an individual alert 704 in the alert display portion702.

In an exemplary embodiment, dashboard system 700 may also track thebandwidth currently used by any broadcasting transmitters that may beassociated with the dashboard system 700. In an exemplary embodiment,the bandwidth currently used by the system, as well as other informationsuch as the types of data (files, video, audio, etc.) that the bandwidthhas been allocated to, may be shown in a bandwidth display 720. Forexample, according to an exemplary embodiment, the system may have aparticular maximum bandwidth (or throughput). The portion of thismaximum bandwidth that is being used by each type of data that iscurrently being broadcast, which may for example include video and otherfiles, may be displayed in a separate display 720. This may allow theuser to perceive what types of data are creating the largest load on thebandwidth available to the system. In the event that the bandwidthallocated to a particular type of content, such as video content, dipsbelow a minimum—for example, if the bandwidth allocated to transmittingvideo content is too low to transmit the video content at a minimumacceptable quality or latency—then this may be displayed in thebandwidth display 720, for example as the needle of a dial moving from agreen portion to a yellow or red portion.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate theprinciples, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of theinvention. However, the invention should not be construed as beinglimited to the particular embodiments discussed above. Additionalvariations of the embodiments discussed above will be appreciated bythose skilled in the art.

Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive. Accordingly, it should beappreciated that variations to those embodiments can be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention asdefined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of datacasting comprising: receivingdata, by a dashboard, from at least one of a plurality of sources;managing the data, by the dashboard; sending the data, by the dashboard,to a broadcasting station; converting the data into broadcastingcontent, by at least one of the dashboard and the broadcasting station;and broadcasting the broadcasting content, from the dashboard or thebroadcasting station, to at least one of a plurality of receivers. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: communicating, by at leastone of the plurality of sources, with the dashboard via at least one ofan implemented software and an equipment over at least one of aone-to-one network and a one-to-many broadcasting network.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: authorizing, by the dashboard, at leastone of the plurality of receivers to receive the broadcasting content;and broadcasting the broadcasting content, from the dashboard orbroadcasting station, to the at least one authorized receiver.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, further comprising: encrypting the broadcast content,by the dashboard, for the at least one authorized receiver beforebroadcasting, wherein the at least one authorized receiver is configuredto decrypt the broadcast content after receiving the broadcast content.5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: authorizing, by thesource, at least one of the plurality of receivers to receive thebroadcasting content; and broadcasting the broadcasting content, fromthe dashboard or broadcasting station, to the at least one authorizedreceiver.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: encrypting thebroadcast content, by the dashboard, for the at least one authorizedreceiver before broadcasting; and sharing a decryption key between thesource and the at least one authorized receiver for decrypting theencrypted broadcast content.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the atleast one receiver receives the broadcast content via at least one of alow-power transmitter, an on-channel repeater, and a one-to-one network.8. The method of claim 1, wherein the dashboard receives first datainput from a first source, and second data input from a second source,and wherein the dashboard consolidates the first data input and thesecond data input into the broadcasting content.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the first data input is at least one of a video, an audio, atext, an image, Metadata, a live data stream, a file, an alert, anotification, and an emergency alarm, and the second data input is atleast one of a video, an audio, a text, an image, Metadata, a live datastream, a file, an alert, a notification, and an emergency alarm. 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises video content, andwherein the video content is dynamically rerated, by the dashboard, tofit into available bandwidth before broadcasting.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein managing the data, by the dashboard, further comprisesprioritizing data from the plurality of sources.
 12. The method of claim1, further comprising: implementing a mobile application on the at leastone receiver to receive the broadcast content via a one-to-one networkor a broadcasting network.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein thedashboard is configured to receive specific data from the at least onesource upon request.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the dashboardaugments the data before broadcasting.
 15. The method of claim 1,wherein the data includes video content, and wherein the video contentis re-encoded and normalized using a video encoding format.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the video encoding format includes at leastone of HEVC, H.264, and H.265.
 17. A system for datacasting, comprising:a plurality of sources for generating data; a dashboard that receives,manages and sends the data; a broadcasting station that broadcasts thedata via at least one of a one-to-many broadcasting network and aone-to-one network; and a plurality of receivers that receives the data,wherein the sources, the broadcasting station or the receiverscommunicate with the dashboard by at least one of an implementedsoftware and an equipment via at least one of the one-to-one network andthe one-to-many broadcasting network, wherein the data is converted intobroadcasting content before broadcasting, and wherein the broadcastingcontent includes at least two of a video, an audio, a text, an image,Metadata, a live data stream, a file, an alert, a notification, and anemergency alarm.